Welcome to the Madison County Observer
Where we report on all things happening in Madison County, Idaho local government!
Hi Friends — You are receiving this email because you added your name to an email list at one of our events like a Constitution Day Dinner or a July 4th Flag Raising. You wanted to be included in updates of things happening Madison County so here we go!
We start this first newsletter with some startling information. The Idaho School Board Association is quietly pushing down to school districts a controversial transgender policy. You have probably seen news about the Caldwell School Board Meeting that was shut down after parents showed up to testify against this policy.
The Idaho School Board Association Policy 3281 states “Students will be allowed to use the restroom and locker room that corresponds to the gender identity they consistently assert at school. No student will be required to use facilities that conflict with his or her gender identity consistently asserted at school.” This means your daughter will be forced to use the bathroom or to change in the locker room with boys who identify as girls.
Regarding school activities, “The District will provide all students the opportunity to participate in any activities segregated by gender in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity consistently asserted at school.” Get ready for your daughters to compete with boys who identify as girls.
And it gets worse, “In the case of overnight trips sponsored by the District, students will be assigned sleeping rooms that correspond to the gender identity they consistently assert at school or to a private sleeping room. No student shall be required to sleep in a private room or in an assigned room conflicting with his or her consistently asserted school gender identity.” Are you prepared to have your daughter stay overnight with boys who identify as girls?
School Board policies are adopted at sparsely attended School Board meetings with little to no parent input. They are added to the agenda by policy number, oftentimes with no accompany documentation, leaving the public in the dark. When the policy is adopted, it isn’t read aloud in meeting and is passed without the public’s full understanding of the ramifications of adopted or changed policies.
School districts are being told by State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield it is better to adopt these objectionable policies rather than risk being subjected to a federal investigation or lawsuit.
Is this coming to your school district? Please contact your School Board members and find out. You can find their contact information here:
It is very important you engage on this issue NOW before it becomes policy. Please take the time to call your School Board members and to share this information with your friends and neighbors. Together we can make a difference.